17 Sneaky Signs You Need to See a Sleep Doctor

If your sex drive is dead or you can't shake a cold, it may be poor sleep. Here's how to know it's time to see a sleep doctor, according to sleep experts.

You constantly drop the ball

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Poor sleep quality has direct effect on concentration—everyone has experienced that. (Here’s an easy trick to improve your concentration in 24 hours.) But a restless night also hurts memory. “When sleep suffers, so does cognitive performance. In fact, it may be the reason why you spaced on that dental appointment, put the milk away in the pantry and the cereal in the refrigerator, or forgot to call that client back,” says insomnia specialist and nurse practitioner Ellen Wermter.

Your physical performance is sub-par

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Adequate sleep impacts physical performance. “Studies have shown slowed reaction times, reduced accuracy, and decreased endurance in subjects deprived of sleep,” says Wermter. “If your tennis game isn’t what it used to be, take a closer look at your sleep to elevate your game. Is your weight training moving in the wrong direction? Studies have suggested that prolonged partial sleep deprivation may reduce maximal ability in weight lifting, so make more sleep part of your pre-workout ritual.” Check out these 13 sleep better secrets from sleep doctors.